Writer-directorAlex Garland’s latest film,Civil War, is properly capitalizing on itsdivisive subject-matter. In just 10 days at the box office, the filmhas managed to recover its reported budget of $50 million— a record for the indie outfit A24. The film broke opening weekend records for the studio, which is making inroads in the mid-budget zone after a decade delivering buzzy, small-budget genre films. A24 ended this era by winning its first-ever Academy Award for Best Picture, forEverything Everywhere All at Once, which remains its highest-grossing movie, both domestically and worldwide.
Civil Waraims to unseat it from this pedestal. The movie has grossed $44.8 million domestically so far, and another $6.2 million from overseas markets, fora cumulative global haul of $51 million.Civil Wardebuted with a record $25 milliondomestically, and followed it up with $11 million inits second weekend—topping the domestic box office charts on both occasions. It’s still early days for the movie in international markets, where A24 has reportedly sold off distribution rights, making box office tracking irregular.
The film’s top-grossing overseas market so far is Garland’s home country of the U.K., where it has generated $2.2 million.Civil Warfollows a group of war journalists on a journey to Washington D.C. while armed factions engage in conflict with each other across the country. The protagonists intend to cover a brewing plan to overthrow the dictatorial president.Kirsten DunstandWagner Mouraplay long-time colleagues, whileCailee SpaenyandStephen McKinley Henderson’s characters tag along with them on the perilous cross-country journey.
Where Does ‘Civil War’ Rank Among A24 Movies?
With $51 million in the bank so far globally,Civil Waristhe seventh-biggest film in A24’s history. In the next few days, it’ll overtake the $54 million lifetime global haul ofDarren Aronofsky’sThe Whale, and by next weekend, it should be able to overtake the $65 million lifetime haul generated by the Oscar-winning drama,Moonlight.Civil Warwill then trail onlyLady Bird,Hereditary,Talk to MeandEverything Everywhere All at Once. Domestically, the movie recently overtookHereditaryto become A24’s fifth-biggest release ever. It’s only around$6 million shy of becoming the studio’s second-biggest movie domestically, ahead ofUncut Gems.
Reviewshave been positive, with Collider’sMatt Donatocalling it Garland’s best film.Civil Warhas an81% approval ratingon the aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, as well asa B- CinemaScore from opening day audiences. you’re able to watch the movie in theaters, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
In a near-future United States on the verge of civil war, a group of war journalists faces the challenge of surviving and reporting the truth. Navigating dangerous territories and conflicting agendas, they strive to reveal the complex realities of a nation divided while questioning their roles in the unfolding conflict.
